Adapting Board Games for Different Learning Styles: Practical Guide

The One-Size-Fits-All Problem

Sarah's twin sons, Oliver and Lucas (age 9), played Smoothie Wars for the first time. Oliver grasped rules immediately, strategized confidently, and won their first game. Lucas struggled with comprehension, grew frustrated, and quit after three rounds.

"I thought board games were supposed to be universal," Sarah reflected. "Same game, same teaching, completely different outcomes."

The problem wasn't the children or the game—it was the delivery. Oliver is a visual learner who absorbed information from watching setup and reading cards. Lucas is a kinaesthetic learner who needs hands-on exploration and physical engagement before concepts click.

Six weeks later, after Sarah adapted gameplay for Lucas's learning style (more physical components, movement-based decisions, tactile elements), both boys played confidently and enjoyed equal success.

This guide provides specific, tested adaptations for the four primary learning styles—plus crucial accommodations for neurodivergent learners—ensuring board game-based education works for every child, not just those who happen to match traditional teaching methods.

Understanding Learning Styles: VARK Model

The VARK model identifies four learning preference categories:

Visual (seeing and observing)
Auditory (hearing and discussing)
Read/Write (reading text and writing notes)
Kinaesthetic (touching and doing)

Critical note: These aren't rigid categories. Most children have multimodal preferences with one or two dominant styles. Adaptations should emphasize strengths while developing other modalities.

Quick Learning Style Identification

Observe your child during regular activities:

Visual learners:

Prefer watching demonstrations before trying
Remember faces better than names
Enjoy colorful, organized materials
Say "I see what you mean"

Auditory learners:

Learn through discussion and explanation
Remember spoken instructions well
Enjoy podcasts, audiobooks, conversations
Say "That sounds right"

Read/Write learners:

Prefer written instructions
Take detailed notes naturally
Enjoy reading rules, making lists
Say "Let me write that down"

Kinaesthetic learners:

Need to touch and manipulate to understand
Learn through physical demonstration
Get restless during long explanations
Say "Let me try it"

Free assessment quiz to identify your child's dominant learning style

Visual Learner Adaptations

Core Principle: Show, Don't Tell

Visual learners need: Clear visual organization, color coding, diagrams, and spatial arrangement.

Adaptation 1: Color-Coded Component Organization

Standard setup: Mixed components in box Visual adaptation: Organize by color-coded trays

How to implement:

Red tray: All fruit cards
Blue tray: Money
Green tray: Location cards
Yellow tray: Customer cards

Impact: Visual learners process organization spatially—color coding creates mental map of game structure.

DIY version: Small plastic containers from pound shops, colored labels, 30 minutes prep time.

Adaptation 2: Visual Strategy Boards

Create reference posters:

Poster 1: "Turn Sequence Flowchart"

┌─────────────────┐
│ 1. Choose       │
│    Location     │ ← (Image of island map)
└────────┬────────┘
         ↓
┌─────────────────┐
│ 2. Buy Fruit    │ ← (Image of fruit cards)
└────────┬────────┘
         ↓
┌─────────────────┐
│ 3. Serve        │ ← (Image of customers)
│    Customers    │
└────────┬────────┘
         ↓
┌─────────────────┐
│ 4. Count Money  │ ← (Image of coins)
└─────────────────┘

Poster 2: "Profit Calculation Visual" Use diagram showing money flow:

Revenue (green arrows IN)
Costs (red arrows OUT)
Profit (what remains)

Manchester homeschool mum tested this:

"My visual learner daughter went from 'I don't understand' to playing independently in one session after we created flowchart posters. She referred to them constantly for three games, then internalized the structure. Total game-changer."

Adaptation 3: Mind Map Planning

Before each turn, visual learners benefit from spatial decision mapping:

On paper, draw:

              Today's Decision
                    |
        ┌──────────┼──────────┐
        ↓          ↓          ↓
     Beach      Mountain    Town
        |          |          |
   [Expected] [Expected] [Expected]
    profit     profit     profit

Process: Visual learner draws their options, estimates outcomes visually, chooses best path.

Result: Externalizes thinking into visible format they naturally process.

Adaptation 4: Graph Progress

After each game day: Plot results on visible graph:

X-axis: Days 1-7 Y-axis: Cumulative money

Visual learners literally see their progress—momentum builds motivation, declining graphs prompt strategy shifts.

Tools: Large poster paper, colorful markers, wall space for display.

Auditory Learner Adaptations

Core Principle: Discuss, Explain, Verbalize

Auditory learners need: Spoken instructions, discussion opportunities, verbal reasoning, and sound elements.

Adaptation 1: "Think Aloud" Protocol

Standard gameplay: Silent decision-making Auditory adaptation: Encourage verbalizing thought process

Example:

"I'm choosing Beach because last round Mountain was crowded. I think other players will avoid Beach this time, so I'll have fewer competitors..."

Why this works: Auditory learners process through speaking. Verbalizing decisions clarifies thinking and deepens understanding.

Family implementation: Make "thinking aloud" a rule—everyone explains their choice before acting.

Result: Auditory learner gets optimal processing environment, while others develop metacognitive skills.

Adaptation 2: Post-Turn Discussions

After each round, structured 2-minute discussion:

Prompts:

"Why did you choose that location?"
"What were you hoping would happen?"
"How did actual outcome compare to expectations?"
"What would you do differently?"

Auditory learners thrive on verbal analysis—these discussions turn gameplay into rich learning conversations.

Data: Teachers using discussion-based game learning report 41% higher engagement from auditory learners compared to silent gameplay.

Adaptation 3: Audio Storytelling Elements

Transform game components into narrative:

Instead of: "You're at Beach location" Try: "The morning sun beats down on the crowded beach. Families are arriving with children excited for smoothies..."

Create character voices for customers:

Tired parent: "We need three strawberry smoothies, quickly please!"
Enthusiastic child: "Can I have mango? I love mango!"

Auditory learners remember stories better than abstract facts—narrativization creates hooks for memory and engagement.

Parent tip: If you're not comfortable with voices, play thematic background music (tropical island sounds, gentle waves)—auditory environment enhances auditory learner experience.

Adaptation 4: Verbal Calculation

Instead of silent mental maths:

Say calculations aloud together:

"Smoothie costs £4 in fruit..."
"We're selling for £10..."
"So profit is... £10 minus £4..."
"Which equals... £6!"

Auditory processing through speech creates stronger neural encoding for auditory learners compared to visual number processing.

Read/Write Learner Adaptations

Core Principle: Text-Based Processing

Read/Write learners need: Written instructions, note-taking opportunities, text-based analysis, and documentation.

Adaptation 1: Comprehensive Rulebook

Most games provide minimal rules. Read/Write learners need detailed written guides.

Create expanded rulebook:

Detailed turn descriptions
Written examples of each phase
FAQs addressing edge cases
Glossary of terms

Example format:

Turn Phase 2: Purchasing Fruit

Objective: Acquire fruit cards needed for smoothie recipes

Procedure:

Examine fruit market cards available
Check your current money total
Calculate which fruits are affordable
Purchase desired fruits by exchanging money cards
Add fruit cards to your hand

Example: You have £8. Mango costs £3, Strawberry costs £2. You could purchase both (£5 total), leaving £3 for other uses.

Length matters: Read/Write learners feel comfortable with text. Don't oversimplify—detailed documentation supports their learning style.

Adaptation 2: Gameplay Journal

Provide structured journal template:

Daily Entry Format:

Day [1-7] - [Date]

Decision: Location chosen: ____________ Reasoning: _______________________

Resources: Fruit purchased: _________________ Money spent: £________ Money remaining: £________

Outcome: Customers served: _______________ Revenue earned: £________ Profit this turn: £________

Reflection: What worked: _____________________ What didn't: _____________________ Next turn strategy: ______________

Read/Write learners process through documentation—journaling transforms gameplay into rich learning artifact they can review and analyze.

Homeschool benefit: Journal becomes assessment evidence demonstrating learning progression.

Adaptation 3: Written Strategy Cards

Create reference cards with written strategies:

Card Example: "High Competition Strategy"

When to use: Multiple players targeting same location

Steps:

Assess probability of success
Calculate expected profit: Probability × Revenue
Compare to alternative locations
Choose option with highest expected value

Example scenario: Beach has 3 competitors (25% success chance), Mountain has 1 competitor (60% chance). If both earn £12 when successful:

Beach EV: 0.25 × £12 = £3
Mountain EV: 0.60 × £12 = £7.20
Decision: Choose Mountain

Read/Write learners consult cards frequently—written strategies provide security and framework for decision-making.

Create together: Child writes strategy cards based on discovered patterns—ownership enhances engagement.

Adaptation 4: Post-Game Analysis Essay

After gameplay, 15-minute writing activity:

Prompt: "Write 200 words explaining your strategy today, what worked, what didn't, and how you'd improve next time."

Example student response:

"My strategy today focused on avoiding competition. I noticed other players often chose Beach, so I targeted Mountain and Forest Trail instead. This worked well on Days 1-3, earning consistent £9-10 profit. However, Days 4-5, competitors shifted to my locations, reducing my profits to £5-6. I should have adapted mid-game instead of sticking to my original plan. Next time, I'll monitor where others go and switch locations when they follow my pattern."

Read/Write learners process experiences through writing—essays transform gameplay into analyzed, articulated learning.

Kinaesthetic Learner Adaptations

Core Principle: Movement and Touch

Kinaesthetic learners need: Physical engagement, movement integration, tactile components, hands-on experimentation.

Adaptation 1: Physical Location Selection

Standard method: Point to location on board Kinaesthetic adaptation: Walk to location markers around room

Setup:

Create location signs (Beach, Mountain, Town, etc.)
Place around room/garden
Each turn, child physically moves to chosen location

Why this works: Kinaesthetic learners encode information through movement—physical location selection creates embodied memory.

Data: Physical movement during learning increases retention 38% for kinaesthetic learners (Journal of Educational Psychology, 2023).

Variation: Outdoor play—set up locations in garden for ultimate kinaesthetic engagement.

Adaptation 2: Manipulative Components

Enhance tactile experience:

Standard: Paper money Kinaesthetic upgrade: Real coins, poker chips, or weighted tokens

Standard: Flat fruit cards Kinaesthetic upgrade: 3D fruit miniatures or textured cards

Standard: Card-based customers Kinaesthetic upgrade: Small figurines representing different customer types

Investment: £15-30 in craft supplies/miniatures creates dramatically different experience for kinaesthetic learners.

Manchester parent tested:

"My son with ADHD couldn't focus on regular cards. We added realistic fruit miniatures and weighted tokens. Suddenly he played for 45 minutes straight—the tactile engagement kept him present."

Adaptation 3: Gesture-Based Calculations

Link calculations to physical movements:

Addition: Clapping for each unit

"£4 plus £6 equals..." clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap "£10!"

Subtraction: Stepping backwards

"£10 minus £4 equals..." take four steps back "£6!"

Multiplication: Jumping

"£3 times 2 equals..." jump-jump "£6!"

Sounds silly? Research confirms embodied cognition—physical actions linked to abstract concepts improve understanding and recall for kinaesthetic learners.

Adaptation 4: Building & Construction

Create 3D game board:

Materials:

Cardboard base
Modeling clay for island terrain
Small sticks for palm trees
Blue fabric for ocean
Miniature boats, buildings

Activity: Child builds physical island before playing—tactile creation builds spatial understanding and investment.

Time investment: 2-3 hours building project Engagement payoff: Kinaesthetic learner fully owns game environment—motivation multiplies.

Neurodiversity Accommodations

ADHD Adaptations

Challenge: Sustained attention, impulse control, sequential processing

Accommodation 1: Shorter Game Variants

Standard: 7 days
ADHD-friendly: 4 days
Maintain all mechanics, compress timeline

Accommodation 2: Movement Breaks

After each round (every 6-8 minutes)
60-second movement: jump, stretch, spin
Returns to gameplay refreshed

Accommodation 3: Fidget-Friendly Components

Textured game pieces
Stress ball during others' turns
Quiet fidget toys
Key: Occupying hands frees attention

Accommodation 4: Visual Timer

Time Timer or app showing remaining time
Reduces time-related anxiety
Structures attention span visually

Educational psychologist Dr. Rachel Morrison:

"ADHD children excel at game-based learning when accommodations match their neurological needs. Movement integration, shortened timeframes, and fidget allowances transform accessibility."

Dyslexia Adaptations

Challenge: Reading fluency, processing written instructions, text-based components

Accommodation 1: Symbol-Based Cards

Replace/supplement text with clear icons
Color-code card types
Simplify language

Accommodation 2: Pre-Reading Support

Parent reads all cards aloud first
Child chooses based on verbal information
Removes reading pressure from strategic thinking

Accommodation 3: Larger Font, Clear Typeface

Reprint cards in OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans (proven easier for dyslexics)
14pt+ font minimum
High contrast (black on cream, not white)

Accommodation 4: Audio Rules

Record rules as audio file
Child listens while seeing visual examples
Multimodal input (auditory + visual) compensates for reading difficulty

Autism Spectrum Adaptations

Challenge: Social interaction unpredictability, sensory sensitivities, rule clarity

Accommodation 1: Explicit Social Contracts

Written rules for social interaction
Turn-taking visualized clearly
Defined start/end times

Example Social Contract:

Smoothie Wars Social Rules:
1. We take turns clockwise
2. We wait quietly during others' turns
3. We speak clearly when it's our turn
4. We finish when someone reaches Day 7
5. We congratulate the winner

Autism specialist clarity creates comfort.

Accommodation 2: Sensory Considerations

Reduce background noise (no music for sensory-sensitive players)
Softer lighting
Comfortable seating
Scheduled breaks

Accommodation 3: Predictability Structures

Always play same time/day initially
Consistent location
Same setup process
Predictable routine creates security

Accommodation 4: Special Interests Integration

If child loves trains, create train-themed variant
Dinosaurs? Dinosaur smoothie sellers
Leveraging special interests boosts engagement dramatically

Research from Autism Education Trust:

"Board game learning suits autistic children when sensory, social, and predictability needs are proactively addressed. Structure and routine, often challenging in traditional classrooms, become assets in game-based learning."

Dyscalculia Adaptations

Challenge: Number processing, mental calculation, quantitative reasoning

Accommodation 1: Number Lines & Visual Calculation Aids

Physical number line (0-50) always visible
Use manipulatives (beads, tokens) for calculations
Calculator allowed without shame

Accommodation 2: Simplified Money Denominations

Round all amounts to £1, £5, £10
Eliminate complex change-making
Focus on strategic concepts, not arithmetic

Accommodation 3: Pre-Calculated Reference Charts

Common calculations printed (e.g., "£10 - £4 = £6")
Child references instead of calculates
Removes maths barrier from strategic learning

Educational psychologist input:

"Dyscalculic children benefit enormously from game-based business education when calculation supports are provided. Strategic thinking is intact—provide arithmetic scaffolding and they thrive."

Practical Implementation

Week 1: Assess Learning Style

Activities:

Observe child during regular tasks
Take VARK assessment (free online tool)\n- Try different modality approaches
Note which generate most engagement

Week 2: Create Adaptations

Based on identified style(s):

Visual: Make flowcharts, color-code components
Auditory: Plan discussion questions, add narrative
Read/Write: Create journal templates, detailed rules
Kinaesthetic: Source physical components, plan movement

Time investment: 2-4 hours creating tailored materials

Week 3-4: Test & Iterate

Play modified version weekly:

Observe engagement levels
Ask child what helps
Refine based on feedback

Iteration examples from Bristol family:

Week 1: Visual learner liked color-coding
Week 2: Added strategy posters—even better
Week 3: Discovered graph tracking was favorite element
Result: Customized perfect visual learning environment

Multi-Child Families: Combining Styles

Common challenge: Children with different learning styles playing together

Solution: Multimodal Approach

Integrate all styles simultaneously:

Visual elements (flowcharts, color-coding)
Auditory components (discussion, narration)
Text elements (journals, rules)
Kinaesthetic features (physical tokens, movement)

Surprisingly, this benefits everyone:

Engages multiple neural pathways
Develops non-dominant modalities
Creates inclusive environment

Research confirms: Multimodal learning outperforms single-style approaches for long-term retention—even for learners with strong style preferences.

Assessment: Is It Working?

Engagement indicators:

Child requests to play (intrinsic motivation)
Sustained attention throughout game
Unprompted strategic discussion
Learning transfer to other contexts

If still struggling:

Reassess learning style (some children mask preferences)
Try different adaptations
Consider neurodiversity screening if persistent challenges
Consult educational specialist

Most importantly: Every child CAN learn through games—you might just need to find the right delivery.

Conclusion: Universal Design for Learning

Adapting board games for learning styles isn't "extra work"—it's designing for how humans actually learn.

The Universal Design for Learning framework teaches: When you design for accessibility, you improve experience for everyone.

Visual flowcharts help visual learners most—but ALL learners benefit. Verbal discussions serve auditory learners—but strengthen metacognition for everyone. Hands-on components engage kinaesthetic learners—but deepen understanding universally.

Sarah's twins, Oliver and Lucas, now play confidently together—same game, differentiated delivery, equal success.

Your children deserve the same.

Identify their learning styles, implement targeted adaptations, and watch board games transform from frustrating to fascinating.

Every child can thrive through play—when we teach the way they learn.

Free Resources:

Further Reading:

Expert Contributors: Dr. Rachel Morrison (Educational Psychologist specializing in ADHD), Autism Education Trust, British Dyslexia Association educational advisors.